Welcome to Gaia! ::

Frost strolled next to his mate, Cataclysm, enjoying the calm of the day. It had been a harsh, learn winter. Thankfully, spring was beginning to break through the cold, and soon the land would be lush and green again. His sister and himself were at home in the cold, however, even he was getting tired of eating dried park and dead grass. Spring would be a nice respite, and through the dry air was crackling with an intangible foreboding, he seemed rather content.

He caught a glimpse of his sister in the distance; she seemed to be asking for something in her animated way. He smiled to himself and nuzzled up against his mate, pulling playfully at her braids.

Frost gave a warm smile to his mate, knowing she was deep in thought. He had learned quite a while ago that asking what was on her mind was fruitless; she would talk about it when she wanted to, and if she didn't want to talk about it, nothing was going to get it out of her. Instead, he had learned by just being there for her - reminding her that he was by her side was the best way to show his support.

When she was ready to talk, she would talk. And sometimes she would go one for hours; about her sister, her family, Fantome, her children...

... it never bothered him that she already had children. Indeed, he had met Onibi Storm a few times and he seemed like a fine, albeit distant, fellow.

Shinoma was antsy, nerves on edge, jittery. Outwardly she didn't show it all though, only the occasional unconscious twitch of her tail tendrils betrayed anything beyond the air of boredom she was projecting as she waited with the other winged attackers. She had wanted to be at Firestorm's side when the attack commenced but she knew that tactically it didn't make sense, so despite her feelings on the matter she was in position and waiting for the signal.

Shadowy wings were unfurled and checked, an errant fly or two was snapped at, and then she half lowered her eyelids, settling into a relatively comfortable position. She looked like she was napping, but her whole body was ready, her ears pricked for anyone or anything approaching.

Perched in a tree above and to the right of Shinoma was her recently bonded hawk familiar Ember. She was an ornery young bird who had attached herself to Shinoma after realising that the Kalona was a bit of a scatter brain when it came to old carcasses, and after a tussle between them over an old meal that had left Shinoma with some talon scores along her nose, they had become close friends.

Ember had insisted on coming along when she had heard what was happening, wanting to keep an eye on the proceedings, and most of all look after her new meal ticket!

The water felt cool on her hooves. Stormfall took a cautious step further into the stream letting the water swirl around her fetlocks. She had traveled to the waterfall that marked the edge of Thunderbird territory to be alone to think. Her companions were nestled on her back as she shook off her mental fatigue and stepped out of the stream. Too much time in the water would numb anyone. Right now though her thoughts turned again to Tsunami. Before she had returned to the herd she had spoken with her father and he'd confirmed that Tsunami was alright and apparently making her way slowly back home. Stormfall snorted softly. That had been weeks ago and her daughter was still missing. Why was it taking so long?

Afraid of driving a rift between herself and the rest of the herd Stormfall had taken an hour or two each day to stand by herself staring out into the skies. Surely her daughter would appear on the horizon, borne by the air currents passing underneath her wings. So why was it that day after day there was no sight? Stormfall gave a quiet sigh before murmuring a silent plea for her daughter to return home soon. Her gaze turned back to the skies as she continued to watch for any sign of her daughter.

(( Yes Stormfall is right above the hiding place of the winged attacking group but she is oblivious to their presence. I ok'ed this with Sabin. ))

Grimoire was practically vibrating with excitement as she waited with the rest of the winged batallion at the base of the waterfall. Her flutter wings were quivering as she paced in a small, tight circle in her smaller, pony-sized form. This was taking forever. She knew that they weren't meant to be spotted yet, but the mare was having trouble with the idea of patience. What group of soquili could there be that this grouping of powerful winged monsters couldn't take them by themselves? WHy did they have to wait to attack at the same time as the other group.

She had little head for strategy, and her blood was boiling, spoiling for the fight. SHe wanted to crush skulls under her hooves. Not wait around for spirits knew how long in this noisy little rocky spot, too close for comfort with too many other soquili.

She grimaced, looking around her, huffing again.

Where were those damnable ravens?

Psyche wasn't standing very far from Malfeas and Grimoire, staring at the cascading water and filling her ears with the roar of the waterfall. It had a well-needed calming effect on the mare, helping her meter out her breathing and steady her frayed nerves. Letting it drown out her thoughts.
She needed it. She was one of the few members of the herd that had misgivings about the endeavor. Certainly, she had never seen war, and a part of the morbid fascination with the grizzlier sides of life and death wanted to see what it would look like. But... that didn't mean she wished harm on her herd... her family... her thoughts wandered to Xibalba, who was with the other group, and a frown tugged at her face.

No... no she wouldn't let herself mire her thoughts in the negative. She forced her attention back to the waterfall and let the roar of the water fill her ears...

Unlike his mother, Barghest waited with patient, smoldering anticipation. He understood build-up. He understood timing. This was the calm before the storm. His multiple red eyes searched out the dark, gathering cloud, seeking signs.

But reading clouds was not his forte, and there were no victims here to look to their innards. He had looked to the portents when he decided to come, but at the precipice of an event that could have so many diverse, sprawling consequences and outcomes, Barghest was searching for signs, meanings, and guidance.

His ears flicked and he huffed. HE didn't know how to read the skies... but there were gathering stormclouds... that seemd to imply conflict, but he didn't have to look at the skies to know that.

A part of him was a little happy that Ixchel wasn't there. He liked her, she was the closest soquili in the herd to him. They had grown up together and helped each other, and taught each other. No matter how this went down, she would be safe.

Lamia's stomach churned and growled as she waited. Hungry. So hungry. She visualized, fantasized about the prey that waited for her high above. What would they look like? What would they taste like?
... how long would she have to endure this hunger? Not that it always felt like she was waiting... it was hard to really differentiate between a long break between meals and short. WHenever she wasn't eating, she was starving. Had it always been like this? Or only since she met Brigitte? She shook her head.. she rarely had moments of realization or clarity, and she didn't like it when she did. Why dwell in the past?

She stood along her herdmates... no... her family. One of them. Protecting them.

ANd maybe there would be foals up there... oh, she hoped there would be foals.